Swine

Gestational Thermal Environment Alters Postnatal Response to Heat Stress

Authors: Jay Johnson (Iowa State University) , Rebecca Boddicker (Iowa State University) , Maria Victoria Sanz Fernandez (Iowa State University) , Jason W. Ross (Iowa State University) , Lance H. Baumgard (Iowa State University) , Joshua T. Selsby (Iowa State University)

Abstract

Pigs were exposed to heat stress (HS) and thermoneutral (TN) conditions in-utero. Post-weaning, they were exposed to acute heat-stress for a 24-hour period, and differences in physiological response between in-utero treatment groups were determined. Our results indicated that in-utero heat-stress had no effect on core body temperature; however the HS group had a larger cumulative difference (~50%) between rectal and skin temperatures compared to TN pigs. Preliminary, this provides evidence suggesting pigs exposed to in-utero HS may have an altered tolerance to post-natal HS.

Keywords: ASL R2738

How to Cite: Johnson, J. , Boddicker, R. , Sanz Fernandez, M. V. , Ross, J. W. , Baumgard, L. H. & Selsby, J. T. (2012) “Gestational Thermal Environment Alters Postnatal Response to Heat Stress”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report. 9(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-690